Project Manager Climate Resilient Value Chains

Company Description

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably. To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.

Job Description

SNV is looking for a Project Manager of the above-mentioned project, a new initiative that aims to promote green, sustainable, and climate-resilient economic development; and to contribute to improved food and nutrition security and resilience to shocks in South Sudan. The project is the component implemented by SNV in a larger 4-year programme

As the Project Manager your role is crucial to lead, manage and implement the intervention approach that comprises of different components, including strengthening agricultural livelihoods and sustainable production, development of competitive and inclusive agricultural value chains, and strengthening of the enabling environment. Prioritized value chains include cereals, fruits and vegetables in the counties of Juba, Torit and Yambio counties.

You will be the driving force behind project success, ensuring on-time deliverables and effective collaboration with diverse partners and stakeholders. This presents an exciting platform for you to contribute to inclusive agricultural development, climate adaptation and resilience, conflict-sensitive development, and inclusive private sector partnerships. Moreover, it will allow you to expand your network in the development sector and position SNV in a dynamic fragile setting.

As the Project Manager, you will report directly to the Country Director and maintain close collaboration with global leads in the SNV Agri-food team.

Key Responsibilities

Part of your key responsibilities will be as follows:

• Strategic Co-Design: Collaboratively shape the project’s strategic approach in collaboration with the project-lead and SNV leadership.
• Project Leadership: Overall responsibility for day-to-day project implementation.
• Interconnectivity: Establish robust connections between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, private sector and other relevant programs, projects and institutions.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with diverse stakeholders and navigate complex dynamics to drive project goals and design strategic interventions for success.
• Strategic Partnership Development: Engage actively with both public and private partners to design strategic project interventions.
• Effective Project Setup: Provide guidance for project setup, encompassing the development of work plans, budgets, and a competence table specifying financial responsibilities and mandates.
• Resource Management: Oversee the management of all human, physical, and financial resources allocated to the project.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor and evaluate the performance of the project management team, ensuring the fulfilment of milestones set in the annual work plan. Proactively devise mitigation plans to overcome setbacks or deviations.
• Timely Reporting: Ensure timely and accurate reporting to the donor, in accordance with donor requirements. Uphold quality standards for international and national experts’ project reports, aligning with donor requirements and SNV’s professional reporting standards.
• Knowledge Development and Branding: Guide the development of knowledge, documentation, communication, and branding in close collaboration with the donor and the country sector leader.
• Partnership and Funding Exploration: Identify opportunities for follow-up funding and partnerships in conjunction with the country leadership and the business development unit.
• Conflict-Sensitive Project Management: to ensure that interventions, particularly around land use and economic development, are managed in a way that promotes peace and avoids exacerbating local tensions, supported by regular monitoring.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications:

• 7-10 years of relevant experience in areas such as inclusive value chain development, agri-business, private sector partnerships, access to finance.
• Relevant bachelor and/or master’s degrees (preferred) in agri-business, agricultural economics, agronomy or related fields.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the agricultural and value chain development in Eastern Africa.
• Experience with managing and coordinating with private and public stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders and quickly establish credibility.
• Demonstrated experience in project design, execution, operations, team leadership, and performance measurement.
• Demonstrated work experience in fragile settings.
• Excellent spoken and written English and Arabic language is an advantage
• Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Additional qualifications:

• Driven by a focus on achieving project goals, with a relentless commitment to success.
• Possess a proactive, self-starting approach while being astute in recognizing when to escalate issues.
• Proficiency in optimizing project resources, encompassing both human and financial assets, to attain maximum impact and ensure successful project outcomes.
• Proven experience in applying development approaches that foster gender equality, empower women economically.
• Exhibit creative problem-solving skills, consistently identifying actionable solutions for intricate challenges.
• Demonstrated understanding of quality monitoring and evaluation, coupled participatory monitoring and learning approaches.

Additional Information

Our offer
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package in a stimulating work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling international working environment.

• Contract Type: International
• Duty Station: Juba – this is a non-family position
• Contract Duration: 24 months with possibilities of extension with another 22 months
• Expected Start Date: as soon as possible, latest by 1st of February 2025
• Travel: In country

How to Apply
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on 3rd of December 2024. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be in the strictest confidence.

If we see that your experience and skills match the requirements of the position, we will contact you to advise you of the next steps in the recruitment process. Should SNV wish to proceed with your application, two interviews with a Selection Committee will take place.

Working at SNV
SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts. For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org

Reference & vetting check
At SNV, we conduct thorough background and reference checks for all candidates applying for internationally determined positions, with a strong focus on safeguarding. You will be asked to provide contact details for two individuals who can serve as references. Please note, we will only contact your referees with your explicit permission.

As a participant in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, our reference checks also include a request to your previous employers to complete a “Statement of Conduct” questionnaire. This questionnaire addresses any instances of misconduct, including sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment, in line with the Scheme’s definitions.